MORAGA, Calif. — The Saint Mary's Gaels (3-3) fired on all cylinders in front of a sizable crowd inside UCU Pavilion, handing Davidson (3-3) a 34 point defeat 89-55. Saint Mary's shot better than 50% from the field, including a 48% clip from three en route to the much needed victory. The win ends a brief three game skid from the Gaels, who hope to have now shaken off their early season slump.

Everything went right for the Gaels to start the contest, opening the game on a 21-5 run over the first 6:15 and shooting 75% from the field over that stretch. Davidson cleaned up their act towards the latter part of the first half, but the Gaels kept their hot play going, taking a 44-20 lead into the break. Saint Mary's had two in double figures in the first half, as Augustas Marciulionis dropped 15, and Alex Ducas scored 11 while dishing out three assists. 

Mitchell Saxen reached a double-double early in the second half, as the Gaels kept the pedal to the metal in the second frame. By the final horn, every active Gael touched the court and recorded at least one positive stat.

Alex Ducas with the biggest offensive threat for the Gaels today, with 23 points on a career-high seven made three pointers. Ducas also tied a career best, with five assists. Joining Ducas in double figures were Aidan Mahaney (17), Augustus Marciulionis (17) and Mitchell Saxen (12). Marciulionis' scoring output was a new career high, while Saxen logged his first double-double of the season, with 12 points and 11 boards. 

DUCAS MAKES A SPLASH
Returning for his fifth season, it had been a slow start to the 2023-24 campaign for Alex Ducas. That is, until the senior made it rain inside UCU Pavilion this afternoon. Ducas, who ranks fifth in three point field goals made in program history, added seven more to his impressive tally, bringing him to 211 for his career. The seven made in a single game was a career-high for Ducas, and was one off the Saint Mary's single game record. Ducas shot 8-13 from the field, including 7-11 from beyond the arc, while also tying his career-high with five assists. It seems that as Ducas goes, so go the Gaels, as his hot play was a big reason as to why they were able to cruise to victory today.

REBOUNDING DOMINANCE
The Gaels continue to be one of the top rebounding teams in the country, and today, they put up a truly dominant performance on the glass. The Gaels were +26 on the boards against the Wildcats, their best since the 2020-21 season, when they were +28 on the glass against Sacramento State. Leading the charge was Mitchell Saxen, who ripped down 11 including seven offensive rebounds en route to his first double-double of the season. Joshua Jefferson and Harry Wessels each had eight rebounds, while Augustas Marciulionis brought in four. The Gaels now rank 15th in the country in rebounds per game (44.8), eighth in rebounding margin (+14.2) and third in offensive rebounds per game (16.8). Individually, Saxen ranks second in the nation in offensive rebounds per game (5.2).

GOOD TEAM BASKETBALL
Saint Mary's notched 24 assists in this one, their highest output since the 2017-18 campaign. Alex Ducas and Aidan Mahaney each led the way with five, while Joshua Jefferson distributed four. The Gaels really seemed to click today, passing up good looks for great looks, thus leading to their high scoring performance. If Saint Mary's in able to move the ball this season in a similar fashion to how they did today against Davidson, they should be able to put up some stellar offensvie performances. 

QUOTABLE
"We really got off to a good start today. Ducas played well, I think he's getting back to form...Augustas played well, we need him...the ball movement was much better...We're figuring out our team...We have to stay healthy...We've got to keep getting better." --Head Coach Randy Bennett

UP NEXT
The Gaels will next host Utah on Monday, November 27. Tip off is set for 8 PM. 

DON'T MISS OUT ON HOME MEN'S BASKETBALL ACTION. TICKETS ARE ON SALE HERE. 

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